1817: Joel Sullivan Giles originally bought land near the northeastern border of the lake for $4.005,6,8

• The body of water was referred to as 'Giles Pond'

1870s-1880s: Once the Erie Railroad expanded into the area near Giles' property, huge crowds were drawn to the area5,6,8,11

• Giles established recreational grounds and invested in dance halls

• Park-goers walked, fished, danced, and picnicked in the area

• The body of water was loosely referred to as 'Picnic Lake'

Late 1880s: the surroundings of the lake developed into resort-style living for the public5,6,8

• 1888: Alexander G. Kent built Kent House, a luxury hotel for recreation seekers5,6,8

  • Later named Hotel Grace

• 1889: 1^st amusement park ride added5,6,13

• 1925: 1^st rollercoaster, Big Dipper5,6,13

• As the park and recreation area expanded and more features were added, the body of water was renamed 'Geauga Lake'

1970: Sea World Ohio opened on the eastern side of Geauga Lake5,6,8,13

2001: Sea World wanted to get out of the north because of the limited seasonal operation5,6,13

• Six Flags Ohio - on the western end of Geauga Lake - acquired Sea World Ohio

1995: Premier Parks acquired Funtime Incorporated (which owned the original Geauga Lake Amusement Park) & expanded the amusement and water parks5,6,13

1998-2000: Premiere Parks acquired the Six Flags brand & the amusement park became known as Six Flags Ohio5,6,13

• The Six Flags brand was struggling & took the deal to be bought out

2001: Six Flags Ohio acquired Sea World Ohio and combined the two separate parks into the single largest theme park in the world, called Six Flags: Worlds of Adventure5,6,13

• Maintenance and financial burdens became too much for the Six Flags’ team

2004: Cedar Fair acquired Six Flags: Worlds of Adventure and renamed it back to Geauga Lake Park5,6,13

1969: Funtime Incorporated bought the original free-entry amusement park & began expansion of the park on the western side of the lake5,6,13

1995-2001: Park was rebranded to Six Flags5,6,8,13

2004: Cedar Fair acquired Six Flags: Worlds of Adventure and renamed it back to Geauga Lake Park5,6,13

• Park was opened with no marine park

2005: Wildwater Kingdom was built on the previous Sea World lot5,6,13

2006: Geauga Lake Waterpark shutdown, but Wildwater Kingdom and the amusement park were still operational5,6,13

2007: The amusement park shutdown, but Wildwater Kingdom was still operational5,6,13

2016: Wildwater Kingdom shutdown5,6,13

9500 B.C. to mid - 18^th Century: Native Americans relied on the lake and lived in harmony with nature8

• The name Geauga is derived from the Native American word "Sheauga", meaning "raccoon"17

Late 18^th Century: Native Americans uninhabited northeast Ohio and white settlers moved into the areas5,6,8

• Although he was not the first to settle near Geauga Lake, J. S. Giles originally bought land near the northeastern border of the lake for $4.00 in 18175,6,8

1880s: Rail line (Erie Railway) was located near Giles Pond at the time5,6,8,11

• Giles took advantage of the rail line & built recreation areas to attract people and enjoy the area free of cost

  • Eventually, a rail depot was made in the area (Pond Station)

• Inexpensive rail lines played a huge role to draw crowds to Giles Pond. Giles simply used this to his advantage and built attractions for people to stay at the park and spread the news to others11

• Kent House (aka Hotel Grace) was built for tourists5,6,8